
Member Reviews

Miles Warren is a 16-year-old high school student who comes from a family of psychics. Miles’ gift is empathy, but he also helps out in the family business, banishing spirits and other paranormal jobs. Miles would love to go to art school one day, but he knows he is expected to work with the family after graduation. He loves his family and they are all close, but Miles still hasn’t felt ready to share with them that he is gay.
Miles is stunned one day when he looks in the mirror and sees the reflection of another teenage boy in what seems to be a premonition about the boy’s death. But Miles has no idea who the boy is or how to help him until, to his utter shock, he learns that it is Gabriel Hawthorne, son of another psychic family in town. The Hawthornes are notoriously rich, arrogant, closed off, and cruel. The family has also had a decades-long feud with Miles’ own family, though no one will tell him exactly why.
Miles manages to warn Gabriel about his vision, but soon he realizes that he needs to do more to help prevent Gabriel’s death — even if Gabriel is just as snobby and surly as the rest of his family. The two begin working together to decipher Miles’ vision and try to figure out where the threat is coming from and when the killer will strike. As they work, Miles and Gabriel begin to uncover secrets about the Hawthorne family, the feud, and the potential killers. They also end up forming a friendship, and maybe an interest in something more. But a death premonition isn’t easy to stop or to change, and with Gabriel’s life on the line, even their combined efforts may not be enough to stop a killer.
The Hollow and the Haunted is a delightful young adult novel by debut author, Camilla Raines. I don’t read a lot of YA, but this one grabbed me from the very start and I absolutely loved it. The story is told in Miles’ sole POV and he has such a great character voice, I found him an incredible engaging narrator. He is a little awkward and doesn’t really fit in, and the fact that he ends up spending occasional nights digging up graves to stop dangerous spirits doesn’t help things. His empathy means he doesn’t like conflict and he doesn’t do well with intense emotions, so he mostly tries to keep his head down and not cause trouble. Yet when he realizes Gabriel’s life is on the line, Miles can’t just sit back and not help, even as he knows his parents will be upset due to the feud with the Hawthornes. Miles is willing to put his life on the line again and again to help Gabriel, even when Gabriel doesn’t seem to want or appreciate his efforts. He is just a really engaging POV character and I loved following along with his adventure.
For his part, Gabriel is generally unpleasant, arrogant, and rude. What’s funny is that I liked him anyway. Maybe it is because he is a kid and it’s quickly clear just how horrible his home life is. Or because we get some glimmers along the way of a good person underneath, like the way he cares about his younger brother. But a lot of the time, Gabriel is not particularly nice to Miles, yet Miles just plows on through anyway, determined to be there for Gabriel anyway. This one is a slow build from enemies to friendship, to the first glimmers of something more. Things are pretty chaste, nothing more than a little kissing and no real sexual thoughts. But Raines does a nice job establishing a clear bond between Miles and Gabriel, and by the end of the story, they are clearly very dedicated to one another.
The mystery here is so well done, with really nice world building to support it all. We learn more about these magical psychic families and their history, and then hone in on the Warrens and Hawthornes. Along the way, we learn more about why the families hate each other, and a lot more about Gabriel’s family in particular. The kids are largely on their own through all of this. Miles has a close relationship with his family, but he knows they will be mad if they find out what he is up to. For his part, Gabriel’s parents are made of ice and horrible people, definitely not anyone he could go to for support. So the book carries a common young adult story thread of the kids having to solve a problem the adults can’t fix, and these guys do a great job. The story is twisty and clever, as Miles and Gabriel dig more into the past and try to uncover clues as to who is after Gabriel. And there are some really thrilling, intense moments of a lot of danger.
I was completely caught up in this one and could barely put the book down. This is the first of a duology and the story does end on a cliffhanger, with a follow up to come later this year. I know a lot of folks like to wait for the resolution before reading a book with a cliffhanger ending, but I urge you not to wait on this one, as it is just so good.
I found this a really engaging story, with characters that drew me in and a fascinating mystery to uncover. I can highly recommend this story and can’t wait for the next book to see the continued adventures for Miles and Gabriel.

I really enjoyed this book. It took a while to get through, but it was good by the end! The grumpy-sunshine aspect really helped, because it's one of my favourite tropes!

i said a nice big swear word to myself upon finishing this book with that ending and no second book out for 10 more months. i really loved this. the spooky atmosphere, the grumpiness of gabriel and the goodness (??) of miles <<3
plus the whole forbidden friendship thing with them working together reluctantly to stop one of them dyiNG?! and doing it in secret?? and the relationship that then develops?! peak y/a literature. the bickering alone was incredible and i want more.
the romance is not the main vibe of this book - but it’s still a super cute slowburn situation. and the overall vibe of the book was spooky and there’s a real dark undertone to some of the magic which i loved. i thought about this book at work, which i’ve not done for ages, i was reading it constantly on my commute - just didn’t want to put it down.
the cliffhanger was unexpected, i’d guessed there would be one but not what it would actually be and now i have to wait after THAT. not happy. many thoughts. very intrigued.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)
I’m a sucker for a good grumpy-sunshine pairing, and it worked so well in this book! I wasn’t expecting the romance to be such a slow burn—especially since it’s carried into the sequel—but it really fits here, as the romance isn’t the main focus of the story. It’s so refreshing to see two characters connect on a friendship level first instead of diving straight into romance, which happens a lot in other books. Watching them bond and slowly open up to each other was both lovely and heartwarming.
The writing in this book was fantastic. It’s vivid and immersive, pulling you right into the story and keeping you hooked. The character interactions were particularly well-done—every conversation felt natural and added something meaningful to the plot or relationships.
I also adored the magic elements in the story. The different gifts that each character has were fascinating to learn about, and the way they were integrated into the world felt seamless and imaginative. Each gift added depth to the characters and played a role in the unfolding mystery.
The plot is an engaging mix of urban fantasy, mystery, and contemporary fiction, blending these elements effortlessly into a cohesive and exciting story. murder mysteries are one of my faves and i loved how the characters essentially had to try and solve a murder before it even happened which is such an interesting plot. This is layered with urban magic, hidden family secrets, and moments of real-world relatability, all of which keep the story grounded while still feeling thrilling and otherworldly. The occasional deadly ghost encounters added a chilling edge, and the big twist at the end left me eager to dive into the sequel.
With its intriguing mystery, rich magic system, and a romance that takes its time to grow, *The Hollow and the Haunted* is a gripping read that has me eagerly anticipating what’s next in the series.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

The Hollow and the Haunted is a delightful mix of sweetness, suspense, and supernatural intrigue. Miles, a psychic from a ghost-hunting family, has a vision of Gabriel, the brooding heir to a rival family, meeting a tragic end. Despite years of animosity between their families, the two are forced to team up to unravel dark secrets and try to change Gabriel’s fate. Their dynamic, full of snarky banter and reluctant partnership, gradually evolves into a heartfelt connection that feels natural and deeply satisfying.
The story is filled with rich worldbuilding, eerie atmosphere, and a cast of intriguing side characters who add depth without overshadowing the main duo. From family feuds and forbidden romance to unexpected twists and chilling mysteries, it’s impossible to put this book down. The ending packs an emotional punch with a cliffhanger that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment. If you love a well-crafted paranormal rivals-to-lovers romance, this one is a must-read!

This is very sweet, with such great portrayals of family relationships! There's a cute grumpy/sunshine dynamic between Miles and Gabriel, and I really liked both of them a lot. They find themselves in the middle of a feud between their families, and I really enjoyed seeing them navigate that in the hopes of thwarting a premonition of Gabriel's death. This was well-written and well-paced, and enjoyable - I think I just didn't feel completely taken by the story.

If you like a magical enemies-to-lovers romance then you will love this sweet YA LGBTQIA coming-of-age story!
Much like Romeo and Juliet, Miles and Gabriel’s families hate each other, but when Miles starts seeing visions of Gabriel’s death the two are forced to work together to solve mysteries from the past to try to save his future.
Miles and Gabriel are both very likable and relatable characters and the tension/chemistry between them is plentiful and developed naturally and believably, making me root for them all the way through the book. I did guess who was behind the mystery of Gabriel’s impending death and why, but I didn’t care because this is enemies-to-lovers done really well and so I was hooked on their story anyway…
… To the point that I audibly shrieked, “Nooooooo!” when the book ended on a cliffhanger, and I had to immediately rush to check whether this was the whole novel or just a sample – fully ready to splash out for the rest of the story at any cost! – only to find out that this is the first book in a duology and I will just have to wait. Nooooooo!

An irresistibly eerie, yet heartfelt YA fantasy debut that blends the paranormal elements of Sixteen Souls with an emotionally complex and endearing MC, Miles, determined to solve a murder that has yet to happen.

Miles Warren is part of a very special family, one where those born into the family have psychic gifts. In fact, a few of the people in his town do, with various families using them to help others and build a stronger community. His family help people with supernatural problems, things such as hauntings, demonic possession, or cursed objects that need dealing with. There's one family in town however, the Hawthornes, who have used their gifts to make themselves rich, and the Warrens and Hawthornes do not get on; even if Miles isn't exactly sure why.
When Miles gets a death premonition, a vision that shows him how someone will die, about Gabriel Hawthorne he's put in a troubling situation. The families don't get on, so he's worried about going to his parents for help, but at the same time he can't just sit back and let something as terrible as murder happen to Gabriel, no matter how bad the family feud is. So, Miles sets out to find out who wants to kill Garbriel and stop it, something that's far from easy as most death premonitions cannot be altered. Thus begins a series of events that will bring Miles and Gabriel closer than he could have ever imagined.
The Hollow and the Haunted is a rather fun and easy to read rivals to lovers supernatural romance novel designed for younger readers. It's got a lot of tropes in it, almost to the point where you can tick them off a list, but manages to be so well crafted and delightful a read that you don't really care how familiar the book feels.
A lot of the enjoyment of the book comes from the two leads, Miles and Gabriel. Miles is a very likable protagonist, and you very quickly come to enjoy spending time with him. He's part of a life that he doesn't really enjoy (we meet him literally digging up a grave) yet does so to help his family out and to not rock the boat. He has psychic gifts that he doesn't particularly like, yet uses them to help others because he knows it's the right thing to do. He's also hiding a secret, that he's gay. Having seen a number of rivals to lovers books for teens before I realised whilst reading this that I don't think I've read any with queer characters, and as such this was a delightful twist on the trope.
Miles' relationship with Gabriel is a main focus of the book, and is a fun one too as they don't exactly get off on the best foot. Raines injects a ton of character and humour into these scenes, as the two of them argue and snark at each other in equal measure. Over time the two of them begin to work together better, and you can see that their very different personalities compliment each other well, with Gabriel being the one to keep Miles focused, for example.
The Hollow and the Haunted ends on a cliff-hanger, meaning that there will be more to come with these characters, and by the way things end you'll be wanting to read the next part straight away.

It was interesting but sadly it could not convice me. I wanted to love this one but it was no highlight for me.

well this was a cute and a creepy start to a duology that promises an exciting finish for sure! This was intriguing, had some emo angst, a cute troubled rich boy and an earnest hero MC from a rival family determined to keep said trouble away.
I really adored Miles. He was so steadfast and thoughtful towards Gabriel, and i really admired his character. Gabriel did do cool and aloof really well, and his brothers were pretty awesome and i hope we get to see more of them in book 2.
I wasn't a fan of Miles' family ngl. I think it's because Gabriel's was frightening and hit the sinister terror mark like i expected. But Miles' just seemed overworked, snappish and secretive, but nothing really came from it. I dunno if book 2 is supposed to open them up or something, but it was weird not to auto choose them as foils to the "horrid" Hawthornes. To be fair, the creepy atmosphere and the ominous plot was mostly focused on Gabriel in this book so it makes sense why i found the Hawthornes so compelling.
And ok i know it's not a romance per se, but i really love how Miles and Gabriel are (my grammar is stuck in limbo until this duology releases me with a conclusion looools) feeling feelings, and i love the little things about their friendship like the kind of shows they bonded over, their table meets and snarky exchanges. I have hearteyes for this romeo and juliet forbidden-ish romance, and i thought their attraction for each other grew naturally and that Raines captured that really well.
So yes, I enjoyed this quick and intriguing read, and the cliffy at the end 100% has me hooked!!! Can't wait for the exciting conclusion to this duology, and ofc i'm hoping the HEA for these stunning boys will be everything that i wish Pynch was! ***Yes yes i know why TRC was the way it was, but more Adam and Ronan in love will always be the story i want to read forever and ever!***

The Hollow and the Haunted is a delightful blend of sweetness, hilarity, and intensity—a true gem of a read!
From the first page, the voice leaps off the page, drawing you into Miles' world with his humor and relatability. He’s not just funny; he’s authentic, making it impossible not to root for him. His dynamic with the sharp-edged recluse Gabriel is expertly crafted, and their rivals-to-lovers arc is as compelling as it is beautifully executed.
The supporting cast deserves its own spotlight. Both Miles and Gabriel come with richly drawn, intriguing siblings (and a cousin!) who bring added layers to the story without overshadowing the main characters. Honestly, I’d love to see more of them in future books—because there better be another book after that ending!
In short, The Hollow and the Haunted is an absolute must-read, offering humor, heart, and a dash of haunting intensity that lingers long after the final page.

My god I did not think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. I’m legit upset that it ends on a cliffhanger because I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! The tension, the mystery LOVE IT! More please!

I enjoyed this book but hope it’s a duology as it ends on a cliffhanger. It was a fun ghost story and I liked learning about the main characters abilities as they fall in love and save Gabriel. There were minor typos with “Miles’s” and I didn’t like how he named his car.

The Hollow and the Haunted is a great story for any season
I would certainly recommend this one for a spooky season read, but truly this is a great read for any season. Just be sure that you’re ready to enter a several book series and make sure you are comfortable not having a true conclusion at the end of the book. If not for that, I would likely have given The Hollow and the Haunted a perfect 10 out of 10. Still, Camilla Raines’ story is worth spending a few long nights with.
Full review at https://thecosmiccircus.com/book-review-the-hollow-and-the-haunted-by-camilla-raines/

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the publishers.
The Hollow and the Haunted is the start of a new series/dulogy (I assume from the ending of this book) about two rival families and their sons who end up thrust in each others paths after one boy (Miles) has a vision of the other (Gabriel).
Miles is a Warren and comes from a gifted family - his gift is being an empath, but after seeing a vision of a boy in the mirror, dying, he is left reeling. When he attends a party at the Hawthornes (his family's rich rivals) and realises the boy he saw is there and is, in fact, Gabriel Hawthorne, he's left reeling even more. Gabriel is a sworn enemy of his family, but as an empath, he can't leave him to die.
When the pair begin to work together to solve and stop Gabriel's murder before it can occur, they fund themselves in the midst of darkness, secrets, lies, and evil.
There's so many threads in this book that have been left teasingly open, and I've no doubt there's going to be at least a second book with even more happening and unfolding and I can't wait to dive into it! I loved both main characters and found I could connect to Miles the most being an empath myself, but Gabriel has a moral grey likeability that grows on you through the book.

I am not sure if I feel betrayed or delighted to complete this book only to learn that this is a series opener. I hate waiting for new books. The dramatic cliffhanger ending is brutal, but the plot leaves plenty to explore in a sequel. I enjoy these characters, and the budding romance between Gabriel and Miles is just getting started. I look forward to continuing the series.

Ghosts, haunted houses, and deadly visions abound in this excellent, queer paranormal mystery for young adults. *The Hollow and the Haunted* follows the story of Miles and Gabriel—two sons of warring psychic families—as they are forced to work together after Miles has a premonition of Gabriel’s death. Their hunt to save Gabriel unearths deep secrets both of their families have kept buried, challenging what they thought they knew about themselves and each other.
❤️ What I loved: I truly enjoyed so much about this story—compelling characters, a mysterious family and haunted house, and lots of fun paranormal elements. The relationship development between Miles and Gabriel was very sweet, and definitely has you rooting for them to overcome their “Romeo and Juliet”-esque family situation. This is a really shining example of the young adult genre for me—the characters and storyline felt entirely believable and appropriate for their age.
💔 What I didn’t love: The pacing of this book was a little all over the place, whic detracted from the story for me. I know it’s going to be a series, but the end in particular was so abrupt that it felt unfinished more than suspenseful.
I would highly recommend this story to fans of young adult mystery and paranormal stories. There is a big cliffhanger at the end, and I like many others am now anxiously awaiting the next book.
**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4-4.5)**
**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Camilla Raines, and Titan Books, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was an enjoyable fantasy story featuring likable characters and a cute relationship. There were times where the plot didn't really hold my attention, but I liked the characters enough that the book as a whole worked for me. It ended with a cliffhanger that left me wondering where the story will go next.
I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.